Surrounded by an upgraded roster featuring Trae Young and Anthony Davis, the former Texas standout is primed to translate his lethal scoring instincts into a sophomore-year surge.
When the Washington Wizards selected Tre Johnson with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Texas men's basketball produced its highest draft pick since Mo Bamba also went sixth overall in 2018.
During his lone season in Austin, Johnson set the program's freshman record for points in a debut with 29 against Ohio State, established a new freshman single-game scoring record with 39 points and tied the school record with seven 3-pointers against Arkansas.
Had he not been part of one of the best draft classes in recent memory — Johnson likely would've been selected much higher than pick No. 6.
But it's a good thing he did, because he has an opportunity to shine in his second season with the up-and-coming Wizards.
As a rookie, Johnson displayed the lethal shooting ability that made him one of the best prospects to ever come through the Longhorns program.
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In 60 appearances, Johnson averaged 12.2 points while shooting 41.9% from the field and 35.8% from beyond the arc, giving Washington another promising young perimeter scorer to build around.
But heading into his second professional season, Johnson will now be sharing the floor with multiple-time All-Stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis, as well as 2026's top draft choice, AJ Dybantsa.
Washington seems primed to be one of the NBA's biggest risers come October ... and Johnson will be a major part of the franchise's turnaround.
And the new supporting cast will be vital to Johnson's continued development.
Young remains one of the league's premier playmakers and will generate countless clean looks for a player who has already proven he can score from all three levels. Davis' presence in the paint will command defensive attention, while Dybantsa's arrival gives opposing defenses another elite shot creator to worry about.
Instead of being asked to carry the offense on a nightly basis — which seemed like a realistic path for Johnson before the Wizards' sudden makeover — he'll have the chance to settle into a role that best suits his game.
Johnson is already a dynamic scoring guard capable of catching fire in a hurry. If his efficiency takes the expected year-two leap, his numbers could climb significantly across the board.
As Washington eyes its first playoff berth since 2021, the Garland, Texas, native who became a Longhorn great should remind the basketball world why he was considered one of the premier prospects in the 2025 draft class.
